Independence Bowl December 30, 2007

[PhillyBuff]

This is the pivotal date in CU Football history. This event set off 2 programs in vastly different directions. The University of Alabama has a past of success mixed with some mediocre seasons in the 80's and 90's. Colorado had more success than Alabama over the period from 1986-2001.

It was a game between Nick Saban and Dan Hawkins- both coaches were highly touted with Nick Saban having 1 National Championship to his name with LSU.

Alabama goes on to be the most successful program by far over the next 15 years while Colorado has had exactly 1 winning season during that tenure.

What changed? Seemingly with a recent history of success, you would think both teams could be in the mix for Conference Championships and maybe even a National Championship.

To find the root of the problem, one just needs to look at the policies that allow football to succeed at each school. Alabama had policies conducive to getting the players into their school and CU does not. This is my motivating factor (and proof) as to why I am writing the 3 people in charge of our football program.

 

[MiamiBuffs]

This is the pivotal date in CU Football history. This event set off 2 programs in vastly different directions. The University of Alabama has a past of success mixed with some mediocre seasons in the 80's and 90's. Colorado had more success than Alabama over the period from 1986-2001.

It was a game between Nick Saban and Dan Hawkins- both coaches were highly touted with Nick Saban having 1 National Championship to his name with LSU.

Alabama goes on to be the most successful program by far over the next 15 years while Colorado has had exactly 1 winning season during that tenure.

What changed? Seemingly with a recent history of success, you would think both teams could be in the mix for Conference Championships and maybe even a National Championship.

To find the root of the problem, one just needs to look at the policies that allow football to succeed at each school. Alabama had policies conducive to getting the players into their school and CU does not. This is my motivating factor (and proof) as to why I am writing the 3 people in charge of our football program.

“The time of the poor decisions begins”….

 

[b3buffs]

I was at that game and remember a ton of LSU fans there to cheer on the Buffs just as pissed off at Cody and his first half interceptions as we were. What might have been without the first half interceptions and the overthrow of Josh Smith in the end zone late that would have possibly won the game.

 

[FLounder]

Alabama has added so many lifelong fans and their enrollment skyrocketed.

 

[PhillyBuff]

Alabama has added so many lifelong fans and their enrollment skyrocketed.

Absolutely.... what was once a rare site in the Philadelphia area is now commonplace. I know of many kids that went to, or are going to Alabama now. They have successfully marketed to the northeast high schools and now get plenty of out of state tuition from kids here. 20 years ago, very few people in our area would have had Alabama on their college list, now every kid that can't get into an Ivy or the top state schools HAS Alabama on their list (if they want a large state school).

 

[J.R. Ewing]

Absolutely.... what was once a rare site in the Philadelphia area is now commonplace. I know of many kids that went to, or are going to Alabama now. They have successfully marketed to the northeast high schools and now get plenty of out of state tuition from kids here. 20 years ago, very few people in our area would have had Alabama on their college list, now every kid that can't get into an Ivy or the top state schools HAS Alabama on their list (if they want a large state school).

I used to know a school like that.

 

[PhillyBuff]

I used to know a school like that.

Hmmm... I applied to CU in 1990. That theory might have some traction.

 

[BuffWarHog]

I bring this up ALL the time. It’s so sad. And worse, we could have won that game. Even worse, Bama had all its wins from that season vacated.

 

[King_George_XXIV_Rules]

Alabama goes on to be the most successful program by far over the next 15 years while Colorado has had exactly 1 winning season during that tenure.

Don't sell us short, it was in fact one-and-a-half winning seasons - 2016 and then 2020 (Covid)...

 

[Buffnik]

I don't put as much emphasis on that game as you guys. In retrospect, I think the killer in the Hawkins era was the fluke kick in 2008 vs Nebraska that kept us from making a bowl. Killed all recruiting momentum and broke DH's recruiting strategy.

 

[PhillyBuff]

I don't put as much emphasis on that game as you guys. In retrospect, I think the killer in the Hawkins era was the fluke kick in 2008 vs Nebraska that kept us from making a bowl. Killed all recruiting momentum and broke DH's recruiting strategy.

I will rewatch that game soon.
My point is that Alabama decided to go all in (as if they weren't prior to Saban) and put tons more money into the program, while we put restrictions on ourselves to become "good people." The people running the athletic department and the University President got run over by the Academic People at CU and they ruined sports. It has come time to accept that sports are a MAJOR at school and they are used by athletes to further themselves.... just like the students who take Geology or Economics do.